Victoria Gothic Crown Pattern Edition

William Wyon produced some of the most iconic coin designs of the Victorian era. His 1838 “Young Head” portrait of Victoria was so well liked by her that it graced the coins of her reign for nearly 50 years. His 1839 Una & the Lion used characters from Edmund Spencer’s medieval poem. In 1847, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Victoria becoming Queen, a silver crown was released with a new portrait by Wyon.

In a shift from his Neoclassical roots, Wyon’s obverse design was influenced by the fashionable Neo-Gothic movement, and with a similarly styled reverse design by Scottish artist William Dyce, it became known as the “Gothic Crown”.

Our Masterpiece Collection Victoria Gothic Crown Pattern edition features a faithful remaster of William Wyon’s Gothic Victoria effigy, its every detail carefully reproduced by The East India Company using a combination of expert hand craftsmanship that Wyon himself would recognise, and the very best of modern minting techniques.

OBVERSE
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the “Fifth Portrait” worldwide but “Sixth Portrait” in Australia, where the Queen’s portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).

The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen’s Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.

Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is “uncouped” (includes the Queen’s shoulders). In small letters on the left, the artist’s initials JC (for Jody Clark).

Running continuously around the rim is the monarch’s legend, the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · 5 POUNDS · 2022 ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · 5 POUNDS · 2022 ·

REVERSE
Within a decorated border, the reverse of the coin shows the young bust of Queen Victoria, facing left; the effigy is by William Wyon and is widely known as her Gothic Portrait.

The Queen is crowned with the Crown of Saint Edward, which has been used in the coronation of English monarchs since the 13th century. Her hair is braided and held back in a bun, with a braid looping around her ear. Her dress is decorated with rose, thistle and shamrock – the national plants of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Ireland respectively).

Below right, the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated.

Around, the monarch’s legend: Victoria dei gratia britanniar. reg: f: d (abbreviated from Victoria dei gratia britanniarum regina, fidei defensor – Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith).

Reverse Inscription Victoria dei gratia britanniar. reg: f: d